“I don’t either. Anyone who goes would be risking themselves. If they can’t get back to Earth, they’ll probably have to enter the afterlife.”
Onyx wrapped a possessive arm around Nico. “And if thecouncil doesn’t allow any vampires or witches we bring into the Eternal Realm?”
“Then they’ll be trapped in the gateway.”
There was a heavy silence.
“It will show that we’re serious,” Nico said eventually, earning a sharp look from Onyx. “As long as anyone coming knows the risk, then it’s their choice.”
“Nico,” Onyx hissed.
“We’ll talk about it later. I’m not saying I’ll go. But we have to be very clear before taking volunteers.”
Onyx’s arm seemed to tighten around his mate.
“I’ll be explicitly clear,” Luc promised. He wouldn’t trick anyone into joining. That would be counterproductive as well as cruel. “I don’t expect any mates to come to the gateway. We aren’t sure the Eternal Realm will extend their acceptance that far. At least not yet.”
“Good.” Onyx’s eyes burned, locked on Luc.
He silently vowed to force Nico to stay behind if he had to. By any means necessary. He wasn’t risking Onyx losing his mate.
Luc cleared his throat. “So, do we know any witches or vampires willing to risk their eternal lives for all the damned?”
Nico grinned, shaking his head. “I might know someone. He’s going to be even more shocked than the day he met you, Onyx.”
They shared a smile, and some of Onyx’s tension seemed to leak away. “Ugh, Rowan. He’ll love how important this is, and how important he’ll be if he helps.”
“Only you could shed his willingness to risk himself in a bad light.”
“It’s a skill.” Onyx lifted his chin. “Let’s rally the troops. I hope you like strippers, Luc.”
As the sun set,Luc and Onyx landed on the roof of a building in the Business District. Nico looked relieved to be back on a solid surface.
The phone in Luc’s pocket vibrated, pulling a smile from him. No one had his number except Onyx and Dex. He extracted and unlocked it.
Dex:
Hey! Work’s good. You trying to say you miss me or something?
Luc:
Missing you is only the beginning. Can I see you?
“What are you grinning at?” Onyx appeared at his elbow and peered at the phone screen.
Luc quickly pressed the device to his chest. “Dex messaged me.”
“Since when is he talking to you again?” Onyx punched him in jest. “You could have mentioned that sooner.”
Luc’s face heated. Was he blushing? He never blushed. “I didn’t come to talk about Dex.”
“You should have. This is all for him. I know helping witches is the right thing to do, but you wouldn’t have gotten it in your head to try if it weren’t for finding your mate.”
“No, I’m a terribly selfish person. Thank you for reminding me.”
Pinching his arm playfully, Onyx took on a gentler tone. “That’s not what I meant. Dex inspires you to do better. That’s not a bad thing. So, what’s he texting you about?”
Luc rubbed his arm, his phone buzzing with a new message. “He’s just replying to me. Ollie talked to him, and I saw him last weekend.”
